Surprising Heartburn Triggers

Smoking

As if anyone needed another reason to quit: Smoking makes GERD worse.

Smoking can weaken the valve between the stomach and esophagus (so stomach acid flows back into the esophagus); cause fat-digesting bile salts to migrate from the small intestine to the stomach; and cut down on saliva, which normally flushes stomach acid out of the esophagus and contains a natural acid-fighter, bicarbonate.

How do you spell heartburn relief? Q-U-I-T. (If you need help, visit our smoking cessation center.)

Next: Pills

Credit: iStockphoto